What I learned from an oatmeal cookie.

{img}

Sometimes the biggest lessons come in the most peculiar packages. Tonight, in the form of a dimpled two year old and an oatmeal raisin cookie.

Earlier this evening after a precious request , "Mom, you make cookies right NOW?" I baked us up some oatmeal raisin cookies. I ate my cookies way to fast. Fighting the urge to have another, I jokingly asked miss Josie for a bite of her cookie. She squealed and hid it behind her. I growled and said "IIiiimmm gonna get that cookie"! She laughed and ran away. I crawled after her like a cookie monster, she continued squealing and hiding her cookie. I reached her and she willingly popped a bite of cookie in my mouth.

We played awhile longer. She gave me more of her precious cookie. I thought, "Why is this so easy for her? A warm fresh baked cookie is a prize. How can she share it so easily?" I realized its for two reasons. 1. She wanted to bring me joy. She knew it made me happy and that was more important to her than the prize she had in her hand. 2. She knows mom is the giver of cookies. Even when we don't have cookies, if Josie really wants one I'll make them from scratch. (She doesn't ask often) She knows when she needs a cookie, mom will provide.

Isn't that the way we should be when it comes to giving to God? Thrilled to bring God joy and confident because we know he is generous and faithful. I've always known of God's faithfulness in that area, but there was something so special and unique seeing the act of giving through a childs eyes.

Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness and generosity. Help me to have the confidence in you as that of a child. Forgive me for the times I have not given to you joyously. Help me to be an example to my children of a joyous, confident giver. Amen.

Matthew 19:14 New Living Translation
But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children."

Toddler Activity: Pipe Cleaners

I am always on the lookout for things to do with Josie that are quick, entertaining, and not too messy. Considering toddlers and big messes go hand in hand it's definitely not an easy feat. Last week at Office Max (raise your hand if you're obsessed with office supplies!) I picked up a $2 bag of pipe cleaners. We took advantage of Delilahs nap time a couple days ago and brought them out. They were a hit!

We made shapes on the floor, practiced and sorted colors, and made flowers. Josie said the flowers were for daddy so we put them in a vase for when he got home. He said they were beautiful :)
 So simple, so fun. We will definitely be doing this activity again soon!  
*If you decide to do this - do be careful! They poke!*

How to Potty Train your Toddler using an iPad

   I was blessed with a very stubborn toddler. Josie is a really good girl, she just marches to the beat of her own drum. She is not easily influenced into something she doesn't want to do. I like that about her most of the time. This has been especially true in the area of potty training. She understands what a potty is for, when to use it, etc. She just chooses not to. I know she's just 26 months old but honestly, I'm really tired of having two kids in diapers.

We tried rewards, celebrations, candy, calling mimi or daddy to celebrate with.. everything we could think of. Little miss just wasn't feeling it.. nothing was worth slowing down for. She's a busy girl with things to do and the "peepee potty", as she calls it, was not on her agenda.

Until now! (Can you tell I'm smiling?)

Recently, on vacation, we decided to indulge and buy an iPad. Josie fell in LOVE with it and all the awesome apps they have for toddlers. (Expect a post on our favorite apps soon!) We didn't want her on it all the time, so we decided she could use it to be entertained on outings and also as a reward for using the potty.

We decided that every time she tinkles in the potty she gets 10 minutes of iPad time. When she goes #2 she will receive 30 minutes but she's only done that in the potty once a few months ago. I set the timer on the oven so when the time is up she hears the beep and knows it's time to give the iPad back to mommy or daddy until next time.

So far its been working great. She's been telling me she needs to go and keeping her diaper dry throughout most of the day. I'll keep you updated on whether or not it continues to work.

What worked for potty training your little one?

{Enjoying her reward}